UpdateOld friends Klinsmann and Loew guide US and Germany into final stages
Results elsewhere mean Juergen Klinsmann's US had done enough to reach last 16 along with group winners Germany
Joachim Loew and Jurgen Klinsmann shook hands, smiled and patted each on the shoulders, like the two good friends they are. The two coaches had every reason to be pleased: both of their teams advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Loew’s Germany beat Klinsmann’s United States 1-0 thanks to Thomas Mueller’s fourth goal of the tournament and the outcome allowed both teams to advance. Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 in the other Group G match but both were eliminated.
A draw would have been enough as well, and it had been the matter of much conjecture before Thursday’s match at the rain drenched Arena Pernambuco. But neither team held back and both attacked, although Germany were clearly in control.
“Well, first I asked [Klinsmann] for the result of the other match. I didn’t know that and he also told me they advanced and I told him, I’m happy,” Loew said.
“That is a tough group and the Americans were a bit the outsiders. Everybody considered Portugal a favourite to make it ... [The Americans] really have qualities, they fight, they can run and they really are tough on the opponent. If you beat Ghana, play a draw against Portugal, I think you deserve to make it to the next round.”
